Other News - 07/29/2005

Pakistan opened up its air routes to the US, UK and Scandinavian countries to the nation's private airlines. Aero Asia, Shaheen Air International and Air Blue, which had been limited to Gulf and ASEAN destinations, are mulling further expansion to take advantage of the new opportunities. The government's move was prompted by the reported inability of Pakistan International Airlines to meet demand, which has been filled by Gulf carriers such as Emirates.

The US majors will not give up on their campaign against the Gulf carriers, which present the biggest-ever threat to the future of US airlines, the CEO of United Airlines said in a speech in New York Thursday....More

Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) president Tim Canoll said the wider public has to be educated about the threat laser pointers pose to aircraft and help law enforcement catch people shining lasers into cockpits....More

US airlines, particularly regional carriers, have expressed hope that strict pilot training requirements implemented by FAA in 2013 will be eased in FAA reauthorization legislation expected to be taken up by Congress later this year, but there will likely be a strong push back against any efforts to change the rules....More